SAGE THE GEMINI - The DOPE MAG Interview

In his exclusive interview with DOPE Magazine, Sage the Gemini explains the meaning behind his name, and where it derives from: “My eyes change colors, like a sage (a greyish-green),” he explained. “And then I’m just a Gemini. That’s my sign. So it’s that simple. And it’s something different.”

It could also be argued that the 21-year-old hit-maker with the affable sense of humor and superstar stage presence is refreshingly wise beyond his years, and thus, a Sage in that sense of the word as well. Wisdom is indeed better than platinum (silver) and gold, but Sage the Gemini impressively has all three: His signature single “Gas Pedal” is certified platinum, and “Red Nose” is gold and climbing. And as for fellow emcees sharing his summertime zodiac, Sage is already in legendary company – 2Pac, Biggie Smalls, Lauryn Hill, Ice Cube, Andre 3000, Jadakiss, Kendrick Lamar and Kanye West are all Gemini’s.

If you are familiar with northern Cali, you know San Francisco is “The City”, Oakland is “The Town”, and all points in proximity surrounding and in between collectively comprise The Bay Area. Rich in Hip Hop history from Too $hort, E 40, Spice 1, Mac Dre, MC Hammer and Keak da Sneak to more recent rap luminaries such as Clyde Carson, J. Stalin, Lil B The BasedGod, Mistah Fab, Philthy Rich and Lil Debbie, the “Sucka Free” is known for its unique hyphy sound: syrupy inner-city accents spread like melted cheddar over spatial base-heavy beats. Bay Area rap culture includes an eclectic party scene, side shows, and an impressive indie grind, but is also known for being its own world, with its own music, for its own residents. Which, at times, has categorized the area’s sound as more regional than national.

The Bay Area’s own Sage the Gemini – a native of Suisun City (about 45 minutes east of Oakland) is the admitted “Nerd” with NBA swingman height (6’5) and Grammy Award night hype. His debut album “Remember Me” – on which Sage himself produced six of the 12 tracks – including both of the aforementioned hit singles, as well as the follow up “Don’t You”, was recently released and well received. He is a rising star, one of the hottest in music in any genre from any city, and is headed for national stardom. Sage stopped by Pure DOPE’s Manhattan hangout on his way to a performance on the David Letterman show for his fresh cover shoot. He dishes on new cribs, fast cars, real booty’s, and white castles with our 19-year-old screen gem Brittany Smooch.

Written by Tone Swep

Interview by: Brittany Smooch

Creative Direction by: Eve Chen of Melange NYC

Images by: Corey Daniels

Styled by: Rock CDG

Location: Retro Fox Showroom in New York, NY. March 26^th, 2014

Read an Excerpt from the Full Length Interview

(Smooch) Several Bay Area artists are mostly popular in Northern California. You are from the Bay Area but your music and movement are recognized on a national level. Why do you think you took off when some are still considered local?

(SAGE) It’s all a strategy as opposed to just putting out a song. You have to have a movement behind it. And then everybody just kinda gravitated to that movement and took part in it, got successful with it. So everybody that took part in it feels like they are part of the success. It just became fun. It wasn’t just like, “Hey, listen to my song”, buy it and that’s it. Like, you know, it was fun for everyone to listen to and join in.

(Smooch) Recently it’s been circulating that your HBK Gang accused DJ Mustard of taking The Bay’s sound without giving credit. But then DJ Mustard was quoted as saying you are one of the artists from The Bay he likes. Does that put you in an awkward position? Where do you stand on all of this?

(SAGE) Not at all. Everybody is going to have they opinions. I had something to say about it, but you know how media always twists everything around. For them to put that in the magazine was kind of weird. And for him to even say ‘I still mess with Sage’ and stuff like that… You know, everybody is their own person. If you got beef with this person I’m not going to fight your battles. Everybody puts their self in their own situations. But, will I stand up for my team? Yes. But, do I hate Mustard? No (Laughs!). You know, I rock with him. I rock with him.

(Smooch) When your first two singles go platinum and gold, respectively, like “Gas Pedal” and “Red Nose” have, do the fans and the label expect that level of success every time?

(SAGE) I mean, everybody loves money. So, of course. I want money. They want money. I personally want more success than the previous time. I don’t care what nobody else wants. It’s about the fans. If I make something that’s garbage they’re not going to like it. I want to keep giving them good music.

(Smooch) Your debut album, Remember Me, dropped yesterday. What’s the meaning behind the title?

(SAGE) I was a nerd in high school. And I still am a nerd. Everybody treated me wrong. I was very unpopular. Less fortunate. Wasn’t born with a silver spoon. Didn’t have the coolest clothes. So I used to get turned down a lot. A lot of people didn’t want to hang out with me. But I was a hard working boy. Couldn’t tame my hair (Laughs!). Just a regular kid. And now for the media to call me, “The Teen Sensation”, and some people even saying, “The beautiful Sage the Gemini”. I’m like, what? It’s like a complete 360. A complete turnaround. A whole new leaf turned over. So now I’m like, yeah. You guys used to talk like this and that to me. Never show me no attention. Just going from the least popular in school period to the most poppin’ nationally. So, now I’m like – Remember Me?

(Smooch) If not rap then what? At 6’5, you look like you’d be playing guard for the Warriors or quarterback for the 49ers.

(SAGE) Racist. Nah, I’m just kidding (Laughs!).

(Smooch) (Laughs!) Believe me I am not racist.

(SAGE) I was just playing. I’m just messing with you. I was going to go to school for EMT medical assistance. So totally not basketball (Laughs!). I did ride-alongs and stuff like that, went through fire training. But with basketball I was pretty good when I was younger. I was in like newspapers, websites, and magazines.

(Smooch) When did you start writing raps and recording music? When did it all begin to takeoff?

(SAGE) Started writing songs when I was like eight. Recorded my first song when I was 12. Bought my own studio when I was 14.

(Smooch) What’s the biggest difference between the Bay Area you’re from and New York City where we are right now?

(SAGE) The accents. Ya’ll think we sound country. And there are a lot more opportunities here. It’s a big city. It’s a lot of talent everywhere, but it’s going to get noticed here first.

(Smooch) What’s your favorite thing to do when you’re out here?

(SAGE) Chill, because that’s the only thing that’s different. Every time I’m out here I’m always working. Work, work, work. But my favorite restaurant out here is actually White Castle. And I went to this soul food place in Harlem. I forget the name of it… you go around and get your plate and different waiters put different dishes on it. And then they weigh it at the end. And you pay based on weight. It was really good.

(Smooch) What’s the big difference between Cali girls and New York girls?

(SAGE) Everybody in New York, they booties are real. Ya’ll be walking everywhere. Ya’ll booties are so nice out here. Everybody in Cali is lazy. You have to drive everywhere. Everybody wants to be a model.

(Smooch) What was your first major purchase when the money started really rolling in?

(SAGE) My house. And I bought an Audi. The second fastest one. The new S7.

(Smooch) What can we expect next from you in the coming months? Say… by this time next year?

(SAGE) Hopefully to still be in the rap game. As powerful, or more powerful, than I am now.